Psilocybin shows rapid relief for depression symptoms

A single dose of psilocybin may provide rapid relief for people with major depressive disorder (MDD), with benefits emerging within days and lasting for several weeks, according to a randomized clinical trial published May 15 in JAMA Network Open. Researchers of the study, “Short-Term and Late-Term Effects of Psilocybin on Symptoms in Major Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” found that patients receiving psilocybin experienced significantly larger reductions in depression scores compared with those given an active placebo, meeting the study's primary endpoint at eight days.